Bronx Catholic school teachers stage second sickout in a week

For the second time this week, Bronx Catholic school teachers staged a sickout to show their ongoing displeasure with contract negotiations with the archdiocese.

Students in three Bronx Catholic schools were left with substitute teachers Friday due to the sickout. Eight schools across the city were also affected. Parents, who pay tuition for their kids, say they are not happy with the situation.

According to the union, the archdiocese has offered the teachers a 1 percent pay raise and wants them to contribute more to health care costs. The union rep says teachers can't afford to pay more and want a 5 percent pay raise.

Officials from the archdiocese say they are hoping an agreement is reached soon. Union representatives say if the matter is not resolved more sickouts are possible.